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Becoming Independent
In 1921, the British "are defeated in the Third British-Afghan war (1919-1921), and Afghanistan becomes an independent nation." -
Monarchy
In 1926, Amir Amanullah Khan takes control of Afghanistan and "proclaims himself king". However the people didn't like him as a king and they "take up arms in 1928 and by 1929, the king abdicates and leave the country." -
New King
In 1933, "Zahir Shah becomes king. THe new king brings a semblance of stability to the country and he rules for the next 40 years." -
Zahir Shah Overthrown
In 1973, Zahir Shah is overthrown by Khan, who "abolishes the monarchy and names himself president. The Republic of Afghanistan was established with firm ties to the Soviet Union." -
Amir Writes His First Short Story
After Amir reads Hassan his story, Hassan says, “Some day, Inshallah, you will be a great writer.” (33)
This quote and part of the book are important because Amir eventually becomes a writer. -
Assef Threatens Amir and Hassan
After Hassan wards off Assef with his slingshot, Assef says, “This doesn’t end today, believe me.” He turned to me. “This isn’t the end for you either, Amir. Someday, I’ll make you face me one on one.” (42-43)
This part of the book is important because it foreshadowed Hassan getting raped. It’s also significant because Assef and Amir do end up fighting. -
Assef Rapes Hassan
After Amir sees Hassan getting raped, he says, “In the end, I ran. I ran because I was a coward.” (77)
This part of the book is definitely important because it sets up the whole plot where Amir has to atone for being a coward and not helping Hassan. -
Hassan Leaves After Amir Frames Him
Despite Baba trying to make amends, “Ali drew Hassan to him, curled his son’s arm around his shoulder. It was a protective gesture and I knew whom Ali was protecting him from.” (106)
This part of the book is significant because it shows how much of a coward Amir is. -
New President
After Khan is killed, Nur Mohammed Takati takes over as president, and "They proclaim independence from the Soviet Union." -
War
In 1979, Afghanistan goes to war against the Soviet Union after they invaded Afghanistan to "bolster the communist regime. By early 1980, the Mujahadeen rebels have united against Soviet invaders and the USSR-backed Afghan Army." -
Baba Loses it in Nguyen's Store
After Baba freaks out in the store, Amir explains to the store owner that, “My father is still adjusting to life in America.” (128)
This incident is important because it shows how the power shift from when Baba was in Kabul to now in America is affecting him. -
Amir meets Soraya
While Amir is talking to Soraya, he thinks, “But I’d asked her a question and if she’d answered we’d be... well, chatting. Me a mojarad, a single young man, and she an unwed young woman.” (146)
This part of the book is important because Amir ends up marrying Soraya. -
Baba asks General Taheri for his permission for Soraya to Marry Amir
When Amir is driving away, he thinks, “Baba was hobbling up the Taheri’s driveway for one last fatherly duty.” (163)
This part is important because if General Taheri says yes, then Amir can marry Soraya. -
Baba Dies from Cancer
At Baba’s funeral, lots of people show up and Amir thinks, “Dutifully, I shook their hands. Many of them I barely knew.” (174)
This is significant because it shows how important Baba was to so many people. -
Baba is Diagnosed With Cancer
When Amir finds out about Baba’s condition he says, “It turns out that like Satan, cancer has many names. Baba’s was called “Oat Cell Carcinoma.” Advanced. Inoperable.” (155-156)
This part of the book is important because it means Amir is loosing the person he adores the most and that will affect him greatly. -
Al-Qaeda is Formed
In 1988, Osama bin Laden forms "al Qaeda, or “the base”, to continue their jihad, or holy war, against the Soviets and other who they say oppose their goal of a pure nation governed by Islam. With their belief that the Soviet’s faltering war in Afghanistan was directly attributable to their fighting, they claim victory in their first battle, but also begin to shift their focus to America, saying the remaining superpower is the main obstacle to the establishment of a state based on Islam." -
Rise of The Taliban
In 1995, the Taliban take control of Afghanistan, and "Most Afghans, exhausted by years of drought, famine and war, approve of the Taliban for upholding traditional Islamic values. The Taliban outlaw cultivation of poppies for the opium trade, crack down on crime, and curtail the education and employment of women. Women are required to be fully veiled and are not allowed outside alone. Islamic law is enforced via public executions and amputations." -
Amir Fights Assef
During his fight with Assef, Amir thinks, “I hadn’t been happy and I hadn’t felt better, not at all. But I did now. My body was broken—just how badly I would find out until later—but I felt healed. Healed at last.” (289)
This is important because Amir finally feels that he got what he deserved. -
Sohrab tried to commit suicide
When Amir goes to tell Sohrab they’ve been permitted to go to America, “I pushed the door open. Stepped into the bathroom. Suddenly I was in my knees, screaming.” (343)
This event is significant because they could’ve gotten a happy ending if this didn’t happen. -
Sohrab smiles at Amir
While flying a kite, “I looked down at Sohrab. One corner of his mouth had curled up just so. A smile. Lopsided. Hardly there. But there.” (370-371)
This event is very important because although the book doesn’t have a happy ending, it leaves hope for the future. -
Amir finds out Hassan is his Half Brother
After Amir learns that Hassan is his half brother, he thinks, “I felt like a man sliding down a steep cliff, clutching at shrubs and tangled of brambles and coming up empty-handed. The room was swooping up and down, swaying side to side.” (222)
This part of the book is significant because Amir probably wouldn’t have saved Sohrab if he didn’t know this. -
Hassan is Executed
When Amir finds out Hassan was killed, he says, “But all I could manage was to whisper “No. No. No.” over and over again.” (219)
This is important because it means Amir will never get to apologize to Hassan for what he did. -
Amir decides to save Sohrab
When Amir is in the tea shop, he realizes, “A way to end the cycle. With a little boy. An orphan. Hassan’s son. Somewhere in Kabul.” (227)
This is a significant event because it means Amir is finally going to do what’s right and atone for his sins. -
9/11
Al-Qaeda decides to attack America and "Hijackers commandeer four commercial airplanes and crash them into the World Trade Center Towers in New York, the Pentagon outside Washington, D.C., and a Pennsylvania field, killing thousands. Days later, U.S. officials say bin Laden, the Saudi exile believed to be hiding in Afghanistan, is the prime suspect in the attack." -
Osama bin-Laden Killed
After ten years of searching, "U.S. forces overtake a compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, and kill Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden on May 2 local time."
